Banana bread

Banana bread, or banana loaf, is a very popular soft and moist dessert. In its Italian version, we can add a local touch by using ingredients like nuts or chocolate typical of our cuisine. Here is a basic banana bread recipe to which you can make variations according to your taste.

Ingredients

• 3 mashed ripe bananas
• 250 grams of flour (preferably type 00 for a finer texture)
• 100 grams of sugar (you can use brown sugar for a more intense flavor)
• 75 grams of melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 60 ml of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 pinch of salt
• Chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 175 °C and butter a loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas with the melted butter. Add sugar, beaten eggs, and vanilla. Mix well to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones, gradually adding the milk. If desired, you can add chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for a few minutes, then unmold it and let it cool completely on a rack.

Curiosity

Banana bread became especially popular during the Great Depression in the United States, when housewives tried to use every bit of food without wasting anything, including overly ripe bananas. Today it is a dessert enjoyed in many countries, and it is often customized with additions such as nuts, chocolate, or spices like cinnamon.